Among all of Social Security's arcane rules, secrets, and claiming surprises, the greatest personal revelation to me has been that the agency often gives out confusing, inconsistent, and even flat-out wrong information. Color me naïve, but when I began research for our book, I assumed the Social Security Administration (SSA) was the place to go for accurate information.
I know better now, and so should you. I am not saying the SSA can't be trusted. But I am very much saying that you need to know enough about the rules to look out for yourself and to question what you're told. If you disagree with the way your claim is processed or other information you get from the agency, you absolutely should stick to your guns and stand up for yourself.
Since the first edition of "Get What's Yours" was published in early 2015, I and co-authors, economist Larry Kotlikoff and PBS economics correspondent Paul Solman, have been inundated with questions, problems, and flat-out horror stories from not only the public but also financial professionals and even more than a few brave souls who work for Social Security.
Here are several major areas where bright yellow caution signs have been erected in dealing with Social Security.
Meeting with representatives
The agency invites people to make in-person appointments but this word doesn't always make it out to the actual field offices where such meetings are supposed to take place.
I know better now, and so should you. I am not saying the SSA can't be trusted. But I am very much saying that you need to know enough about the rules to look out for yourself and to question what you're told. If you disagree with the way your claim is processed or other information you get from the agency, you absolutely should stick to your guns and stand up for yourself.
Since the first edition of "Get What's Yours" was published in early 2015, I and co-authors, economist Larry Kotlikoff and PBS economics correspondent Paul Solman, have been inundated with questions, problems, and flat-out horror stories from not only the public but also financial professionals and even more than a few brave souls who work for Social Security.
Here are several major areas where bright yellow caution signs have been erected in dealing with Social Security.
Meeting with representatives
The agency invites people to make in-person appointments but this word doesn't always make it out to the actual field offices where such meetings are supposed to take place.
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